How to Eat Properly During Mouth Cancer Treatments

A healthy diet is one of the ways to decrease risks for oral cancer, but once mouth cancer is identified, eating habits also become important during the diagnosis, treatment and recovery process. Because of oral cancer's specific effects on the tissues of the lips, gums, cheeks, tongue and throat, eating properly becomes particularly relevant when confronting mouth cancer.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access

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Instructions

Eat for Nutrition

• 1

  Drink plenty of fluids. Not only does this lubricate and cool the mouth and throat, it can ease the pain of mouth sores that may be present due to the mouth cancer or due to chemotherapy.

• 2

  Continue to eat properly. Consume plenty of fruits and vegetables as well as other foods that contribute to a balanced diet. You may find that you prefer fruit and vegetable juices to solid foods during treatment.

• 3

  Ask your doctor for help with pain if side effects, such as a sore throat, are making it difficult for you to eat properly during treatment. Your doctor may be able to prescribe painkillers to help you cope.

• 4

  Maintain a healthy, nutritious diet throughout treatment to help maintain the functioning of the non-cancerous cells in your body that are also affected by cancer treatments like radiation and chemotherapy. Ask a dietitian for help designing a diet for you, if appropriate.

Avoid Harmful Foods

• 5

  Stop drinking alcohol, and reduce sugars, fat and salt in your diet. Alcohol consumption is considered a potential cause of oral cancer, and sugar is thought to help increase cancer in the body.

• 6

  Refrain from eating foods that are particularly odorous if you are having problems with nausea, and avoid spicy or acidic foods that may contribute to discomfort.

Eat Foods That Help

• 7

  Eat soft and moist foods rather than dry or crunchy food to help alleviate pain and discomfort in the mouth that can be caused by dry mouth.

• 8

  Take small bites. Chew properly and space your meals out so you are eating smaller meals frequently through the day. Consider eating at the times you feel best during the day.

• 9

  Consider making shakes and smoothies to ease the transition to solid food, especially if you have had to use a feeding tube or if you are having trouble swallowing due to treatment.

• 10

  Be aware that after treatment it may be advisable for you to gain weight, as many patients lose weight during treatment. Ask your doctor if you should make lifestyle adjustments to help you gain weight, such as replacing fat-free milk with whole milk.